The first tastes of spring may be marked by ramps, smelts, or even food trucks these days, but for thousands of years, for billions of Chinese around the world—including the diaspora in Chicago—they're heralded with the aroma of incense.

catfish po-boy and jambalaya from The Big Easy(photo by Steve Dolinsky)As I mentioned previously in this space, Hyde Park's newest restaurant - The Big Easy - has already gone through some growing pains in its first month. Despite the drama, I'm featuring it on ABC 7 today at 11 a.m.

There won't be any ball drops on Saturday night, and thankfully, no one trying to decipher what Dick Clark is saying. Yet more than a billion people on the planet will be celebrating and partying as another year begins anew.